Autistic individuals earn income and recognition at Hanoi's 'Happiness Shop'

At 12:30 p.m., a walkie-talkie announcement about incoming customers activates the small café at 254 Mai Anh Tuan Street. The staff quickly wrap up their lunch break. Duc, 19, organizes the shifts within a minute, recognizing each colleague's strengths and pairing employees accordingly. "Head chef" Hung teams up with Tram to handle orders, while Minh is supported by Lam in preparing drinks. Other team members arrange napkins and chili sauce on tables.

Duc, Hung, Lam, and Tram are autistic employees at the "Happiness Shop," founded by 40-year-old entrepreneur Nguyen Duc Trung as part of Vietnam's Autism Projects (VAPs), the country's first economic model specifically designed for people with autism.

Nguyen Duc Trung (front row, 2nd from R) with his employees at Vietnam's Autism Projects (VAPs). Photo by VAPs

Trung, who previously had no autistic relatives or background in special education, experienced a life-changing moment 12 years ago.

During a vacation, a child suddenly struck his head. The mother frantically apologized, explaining, "My child is autistic."

This encounter prompted Trung to question the world of autistic individuals, leading him to extensive research in special education, healthcare, and life skills. Ultimately, he concluded, "An economic model is the most sustainable path."

"Autism is a lifelong condition with no cure," Trung said. "But in the right environment, autistic individuals can live independently, work, and contribute to society."

Lam and Dung serving customers at the "Happiness Bookstore" on May 28, 2025. Photo by Phan Duong

Trung created that supportive environment by launching a chain of businesses including a grocery store, café, bookstore, and homestay. Employee training varies; some learn tasks such as wiping tables in just days, while others take months to master basic actions like holding a broom or turning on a stove switch. Some employees benefit from aids such as rubber bands on their wrists or listening to classical music to help them concentrate.

"The autistic brain thinks directly, free from deceit, metaphors, or social nuances," Trung said. Yet, this straightforward way of thinking can clash with neurotypical complexities, something Trung has learned through trial and error.

In early 2018, near Tet holiday, Trung heard loud noises from upstairs. He discovered 10 laptops destroyed on the third floor. Initially shocked, he later understood the incident was caused by Vinh, an autistic teenager from Ho Chi Minh City who had become overwhelmed and was unable to communicate his exhaustion and frustration.

"My biggest mistake was misjudging their health and limits," Trung said.

From such experiences, Trung became more empathetic. For example, Lam, who cycles to work, receives short breaks upon arrival, while Tram, the only female employee, receives gentler treatment.

(From L) Quang Anh, Duc, Hung, and Lam, employees at Vietnam's Autism Projects. Photo by VAPs

Each autistic employee at VAPs is unique, influenced by their family backgrounds, routines, and even weather conditions.

Quang Anh, who joined VAPs four years ago experiencing severe mental distress, initially acted out destructively. However, Trung's patient, non-retaliatory approach helped Anh transform. Now, at 22, he is calm, capable of emceeing, and leads peers in sharing their experiences.

Over nearly a decade, VAPs has provided a nurturing space for autistic individuals to learn, work, and integrate into society, serving over 10,000 customers. Initially, 23 young individuals joined the project; 10 currently remain, aged between 18 and 31.

Employees receive daily wages. On May 28, seven customers visited the café, resulting in each employee earning VND20,000 (US$0.77) plus an additional VND20,000 in tips. Further income is supplemented by parental contributions, training fees, or year-end profits.

"The strength of autistic employees isn't in productivity or skills alone, but in their sincerity and joy in their work," Trung said.

Duy Duc distributing daily earnings to colleagues on May 28, 2025. Photo by Phan Duong

Every worker at the "Happiness Shop" embodies triumph over adversity. Dung has a talent for numerology; Lam speaks fluent English and studies law at Open University; Hung has evolved from a reserved individual into an articulate head chef.

After nearly seven years, Duc feels understood and has discovered his best self, a young man known for his constant smile.

Now in his final year studying IT, Duc's transformation amazes his mother, Dung, 54.

"For parents of autistic children, nothing is more rewarding than seeing your child thrive," she shared.

Trung aims to expand this economic model further. "Our path may seem small," he said, "but with collective support, we can create broad avenues for autistic individuals to thrive."